Davao ex-NPAs get livelihood aid

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-one former members of the New People’s Army received over P1 million livelihood assistance from the government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

OPAPP Undersecretary Pedro Cesar Ramboanga Jr., who led the turnover of a total of P1,000,050 to the 21 former NPAs in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, said P50,000 was allocated to each of the 21 former NPAs as seed money for a small business that they will start.

Ramboanga said the P50,000 each, is in addition to the P20,000 that the former NPAs has received early in March after they surrendered to the government.

“All in all the 21 rebel returnees received a total amount of P70,000 each,” Ramboanga said.

Ramboanga said the 21 former NPAs used to operate in the provinces of Davao del Norte and in gold-rich Compostela Valley.

“This livelihood assistance would help former rebels start a new leaf in life, as they turn the next page into a new chapter of their lives and change for a better future,” Ramboanga said.

He said seven of the 21 former NPAs used to operate as guerrilla fighters in Tagum City, Davao del Norte while the remaining 14 operated in the nearby Compostela Valley towns such as Compostela, Monkayo, Mawab, and in Nabunturan.

He said with the creation of the National Committee on Social Integration (NCSI) through Administrative Order No. 172, the administration of President Arroyo has facilitated the return of hundreds of former armed fighters into the folds of the law under the Social Integration Program (SIP).

Ramboanga said the beneficiaries of the SIP are given livelihood packages such as domesticated animals, farm tools and equipment such as chain saws and tractors, or merchandise store goods and items for them to start a new business in their respective communities. – Jose Rodel Clapano